Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Dijon Apricot Mop Sauce

Elevate your dinner table with this flavorful Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Dijon Apricot Mop Sauce, a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors. This easy yet elegant recipe starts with a spice rub featuring smoked paprika, garlic, cumin, and a touch of black pepper, creating a savory crust on tender pork. The star of the show, however, is the glossy Dijon apricot mop sauce—made with apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and a hint of honey—that’s basted onto the pork as it roasts or grills to caramelized perfection. Ready in under an hour, this dish is ideal for weeknight meals or weekend entertaining. Serve it sliced into medallions paired with extra mop sauce for dipping, and watch it become an instant favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces (about 1-1.5 pounds each) pork tenderloin
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.5 cup apricot preserves
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon (optional) fresh thyme leaves

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your grill or oven to 400°F (200°C). If using the oven, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easier cleanup.

Step 2

Pat the pork tenderloins dry with paper towels and trim off any excess fat or silver skin.

Step 3

In a small bowl, mix together smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper.

Step 4

Rub the pork tenderloins evenly with olive oil, then coat them generously with the spice mixture, pressing it onto the meat to adhere.

Step 5

If using a grill, oil the grates to prevent sticking. If using an oven, place the tenderloins on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 6

Grill or roast the pork for 15 minutes before basting with the mop sauce.

Step 7

To make the mop sauce, combine apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, and optional fresh thyme in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

Step 8

After the initial 15 minutes of cooking, baste the pork tenderloins generously with the sauce. If grilling, flip the pork and baste the other side. If roasting, baste the exposed side and return to the oven.

Step 9

Continue cooking the pork for another 10-15 minutes, basting every 5 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the pork reads 145°F (63°C).

Step 10

Remove the pork from the heat, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.

Step 11

Slice the pork into medallions and serve warm with any remaining mop sauce on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1391.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2261.3

Total Fat 73.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.2g
Cholesterol 771.4mg	0%
Sodium 6930.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 102.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.0g	0%
Total Sugars 94.1g
Protein 280.7g	0%

Vitamin D 90.7IU	0%
Calcium 117.6mg	0%
Iron 15.2mg	0%
Potassium 5413.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.1%

Protein: 51.3%

Carbs: 18.6%